A PLAN to put up signs pointing supporters the way to Southport Football Club met with controversy at Wednesday’s meeting.

Supporters’ group ‘Trust in Yellow’ presented the council with a petition containing more than 700 signatures, campaigning for more signposts directing people to Haig Avenue.

They argued that it was difficult for away fans to find the ground, and that ‘The Sandgrounders’ also needed to have a higher profile within the town.

There are currently only two signs in place for fans of the club and visitors to the area to follow.

Plans to position signs in a further eight locations are expected to cost over £3,500, and the cost will now be met from budgets from some wards in Southport – though not others..

Birkdale councillor Iain Brodie-Browne, who has backed the proposal from the start, said: “These young men (Trust In Yellow) have all come together as a group to support the football club. I would suggest that this is something that affects the whole town. I would propose that we all divide the costs proportionally.”

However, not everybody was in agreement.

Several councillors from other wards were reluctant to contribute financially, after a plan to create an area committee budget for Southport-wide issues – rather than just budgets for individual wards – was knocked back by Southport Liberal Democrats earlier this summer.

Some councillors – including Cambridge ward councillor Tom Glover – also questioned why thousands of pounds were being spent on road signs for the football club, especially when the club itself was not contributing, at the same time as councillors were saying they did not have enough cash to pay for road safety schemes such as level crossings.

A decision was reached that the cost would be split evenly between the wards who chose to contribute. Those who did not wish to become involved would not need to provide any financial support for the idea.

As a result, the Meols, Norwood, Kew and Birkdale wards will cover the cost of the signs.